Florida - West Miami: El Mago de la Fritas - Barack Obama visit

El Mago de las Fritas, at 5828 Southwest 8th Street, was opened up by Ortelio Cardenas in 1984. Cardenas, known as "El Mago" or "The Magician," worked at El Rey De Las Fritas for his brother-in-law before setting out on his own. He is credited with being the first person to add cheese to the frita, something frowned upon by purists unless it is accompanied by a fried egg.

Along the 2010 Congressional campaign trail, President Barack Obama dropped by, unannounced, with Congressional hopefuly and El Mago regular Joe Garcia. Obama, however, made the faux-pas of ordering a frita with cheese.

El Mago de las Fritas was featured on Anthony Bourdain's Travel Channel television show, Layover. It has been named to the Miami Eater 38, the 38 most essential restaurants in Miami according to eater.com. It was voted the best frita cubana by the Miami NewTimes, Miami411.com, and BurgerBeast.com.